Khartoum - rebels negotiations stumbled, pressures on Sudan over Darfur
Sudan, Politics, 7/17/2004

Each of the US and Canada renewed their pressure on Sudan in order to exert more efforts and take tangible and immediate measures to solve the crisis in Darfur area to the western [art of the country.

The US secretary of state Colin Powell said that the "main problem and greater challenge we are facing today is that the Sudanese government to make its best in order to eliminate its pro- Arab militias which horrify the villagers," as he alleged.

Powell added in a statement to the US PBS TV that Washington will continue pressuring at the UN Security Council in order to impose likely sanctions on Sudan, noting that the US congress is very " disappointed " from the situation and intends to take measures against Khartoum.

Meantime, Canada's foreign minister Bill Graham asked in a telephone call with this Sudanese counterpart Mustafa Ismael for " taking tangible and immediate measures to end the crisis in Darfur." Graham said that he continuously holds the Sudanese government the responsibility of " disarming Jangaweid militias and protection of civilians," calling on Khartoum to challenge the violations of basic rights of citizens and prevent new war crimes and crimes against humanity in this area."

On the other hand, the attempts made by the African federation to rescue the fragile peace process between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels were stumbled, when the rebels set 6 conditions to negotiate and all of them rejected by Khartoum.

Al-Adel Wal Musawat ( equity and justice) and Sudan's liberation movements, the two main rebel movements in Darfur yesterday set 6 conditions to accept sitting with the government's delegation. These include dismantling Jangaweid weapons and what they called preventing the freedom of movement for an international investigation in accusations over mass annihilation. Other set conditions also trying those who commit mass annihilation or mass cleansing crimes, ensuring the arrival of food stuffs, releasing war prisoners and detainees, agreeing on a neutral place for the talks to be held later on the ground that Addis Ababa is not a neutral place because of the friendship between the government of Ethiopia with Khartoum.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak discussed with al-Bashir the situation in Darfur: we reject imposing sanctions on Sudan   (7/16/2004)
  Germany calls on China to pressure Sudan's government   (7/16/2004)
  Sanctions are expected to be imposed on Sudan next week   (7/15/2004)

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